It’s time to put some respect on Ben Simmons’ name
His name is Benjamin David Simmons and it’s time you start putting some respect on his name!
Ok, well I know this doesn’t apply to the majority of you guys since most of y’all realize he’s a generational talent. But, for the people complaining all the way in the back, wanting to trade him after every loss because he doesn’t shoot the ball, this is for you.
The other night, Ben Simmons dominated the Brooklyn Nets en route to a Sixers win and a career-night, finishing with 34 points (12-14 FG), 12 rebounds, 12 assists, five steals, and two blocks. The triple-double was his first career 30-point triple-double, while his stat line ended up making NBA history, as he became the first player to have a 30-point triple-double with five steals and an 80 percent shooting percentage in the same game.
Seriously, what more does Ben have to do to prove to you that trading him isn’t the answer? Since January 1, Simmons and Luka Doncic are the only players in the NBA to average at least 20 PPG, 10 RPG, and 8 APG. And, ever since Joel Embiid went down, Ben has stepped up his game, single-handily carrying the Sixers and posting some of the best stat lines of his career.
After losing two straight to the Mavericks and Pacers without Embiid, Simmons has kicked it into a gear we haven’t seen before. In the four games since, the Sixers are 4-0 and Simmons is averaging 23.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game, all while shooting 67.8 percent from the floor. What’s even more impressive is that Simmons is saying to hell with “load management”, as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week is averaging 40.1 minutes per game during this win-streak, the most in the NBA.
I get it, all these wins have come against below .500 teams, but at the end of the day, a win is a win, and we’ll take as many as we can until Embiid gets back on the court. The Sixers are still only two games back of the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference too, so you really can’t nitpick any of these victories, as they’re crucial to keeping us in it.
Sure, I would like to see the Sixers blow out these teams, but if anything, it’s intriguing to watch how this team reacts to close game situations and who’s going to take over. It’s no secret that Ben’s aggressiveness dips once the fourth quarter starts, as he’s averaging only 2.0 points in the final quarter during this win-streak. But, if you take a closer, Ben has increased his play everywhere else during the final 12 minutes, as he averages 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.5 steals (his best per any quarter). Although he’s not scoring a bunch, Simmons is still looking for the best available shot for his teammates while playing lockdown D in crunch time, resulting in a plus/minus of +6.5, the best on the Sixers during that span.
And look, if you’re still fixated on Simmons’ shooting, then I don’t know what to tell you.
I’ve always viewed it like this:
Ben is, most of the time, the smartest player on the court. His basketball I.Q. is through the roof, meaning he picks up on some of the smallest cues during a play that allows him to anticipate what’s going to happen next, and in turn, leads to a higher probability of a positive play (Whether that be him shooting the ball or him dishing it out to an open teammate).
So, if Ben knows that him shooting a 22-foot shot from the outside has less of a chance of going in than a shot in the paint, where he’s highly more consistent, why would he shoot the farther shot? Like, he’s giving himself and his teammates around him the best, most efficient chance to score a bucket when he’s not shooting an outside shot. I get that teams will just sag off of him and crowd the paint, but Ben’s shooting just 2 of 31 (6.4 percent) this season from shots +10 feet from the basket, so being frustrated with him not shooting those shots doesn’t statistically make sense.
The man is averaging 16.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 8.5 APG, while leading the league in steals for god’s sake. He’s one of the front runners for Defensive Player of the Year and is putting up stat lines that have never happened in the history of the NBA and some of y’all want to get rid of him? Can’t relate.
All I gotta say is the “trade Ben Simmons crowd” is real quiet right now, huh?
Admire his greatness and put some respect on the Fresh Prince’s name.
